Isaiah 58:9b-14 If you refrain from trampling the sabbath... then you shall take delight in the Lord.

Psalm 103:1-8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Hebrews 12:18-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe....

Luke 13:10-17 Now [Jesus] was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath....

Confession:

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P: In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P: The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Let us repent and turn to the Lord who loves us.

(pause for self-examination)

P: O God...

C: we do not find time to honor you,

we consider you a distraction.

We go our own ways

instead of following your way.

We pursue our own affairs,

pointing fingers and speaking evil of those

who do not have their act together: like us.

We serve our own interest,

instead of helping the ones you ask us to help.

We call to you with a formula,

without devotion to your mission,

and we fail to see the mighty works of your hand,

outside our narrow traditions.

Lord, forgive us in our shortcomings.

Lord, save us from self-assurance.

(Pause for reflection)

P: The Lord is merciful and gracious, and sends Jesus Christ as a mediator of a new covenant. For Christ's sake our sins are forgiven. Through the inspiring work of the Holy Spirit we may see the mighty acts of God in Christ and take our delight in the Lord, telling everyone of Jesus' love, to the glory of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

-or-

P: In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P: Let us take this time and be honest with God. (pause)

Oh Blessed Lord,

C: we quickly forget all your benefits to us,

so we strap on the yoke of our sin.

You satisfy us with good things,

yet we are never satisfied.

You are our healer,

and still we will not be healed.

You are full of compassion and mercy,

and we openly speak evil and point fingers.

Your faithfulness does not rest,

and we are ready to trample over the day of rest.

Forgive us Lord for the sins we know in our heart.

Save us Lord from the sins we hide.

(pause for reflection and self-examination)

P: Lord...

C: help me to put aside my selfish interests

and turn back to you. Amen.

P: There is good news! Our God sends a son: Jesus Christ. He is the mediator of a new covenant, a lasting covenant. He forgives our sins and redeems us from the grave. Through our baptism we have been brought into a kingdom which cannot be shaken. The Holy Spirit gives us yet once more the opportunity to live in that kingdom, to offer to God our lives as an acceptable worship. In the name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.